It’s summer, the holidays have started. For many of us, this means more intense contact with the sun. Unfortunately, many of us forget to use sunscreen creams, and just as few Poles remember about skin lesions. And this is crucial in the prevention of melanoma, i.e. skin cancer. – Birthmarks on the human body can be located in various places, including those difficult to reach on the so-called at first glance, such as the scalp, neck, ears or intimate places – warns dermatologist Anna Bachleda-Curuś from the SCM estetic clinic.
- Melanoma is one of the most frequently diagnosed and most dangerous skin cancers. In Poland, it affects 3 people every year. people
- Only a small percentage of Poles regularly check their skin for birthmarks
- Everyone should self-check the condition of their skin regularly, preferably once a week, or at least once a month – says dermatologist Anna Bachleda-Curuś
- Melanoma can develop in places that are theoretically little exposed to UV rays – even on the buttocks, feet or labia – warns the doctor
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Adrian Dąbek, Medonet: According to the data of the National Health Test of Poles from 2022, only 7 percent. Poles examine skin lesions at least once a year. How can we encourage them to do it more often?
Bow. Anna Bachleda-Curuś: Examination of skin lesions, both under the supervision of a specialist and as part of self-observation, is an extremely important issue. In order to increase awareness of the necessity to carry it out on a regular basis, it is necessary to educate at the appropriate level, conduct social campaigns and implement preventive programs on a large scale. It is not without reason that it is said that prevention is the most efficient way to save money in the field of health protection, and at the same time the most important – because it aims to protect the highest good, which is human life and health.
Undoubtedly, in the age of the information society, it is a good idea to use social media to disseminate knowledge about the responsible use of the sun and the need to check skin marks on a regular basis, as this guarantees a quick reaching of a large audience.
In addition, each of us should encourage our loved ones to conduct tests and systematically check existing and newly formed skin lesions all over the body, including in hard-to-reach places (e.g. on the head, behind the ears). You can also offer your help with this type of inspection.
Any birthmark that is disturbing or changes should be consulted with your doctor immediately.
Check the condition of your skin. Make an appointment with a dermatologist today.
Should every color change on the skin make us visit a doctor?
Certainly, it would be best if every change on the patient’s skin was examined and assessed by a dermatologist who has the appropriate knowledge and devices, such as a dermatoscope. It is used to diagnose skin lesions of various origins, including suspicious pigmented moles. Due to the high level of accuracy, this examination makes it possible to determine, with high probability, their benign or malignant nature.
Skin lesions that show various disturbing symptoms, such as color change, asymmetry, irregular shape, and rapid growth, require immediate medical consultation.
Only a specialist is able to assess the nature of the observed change and the possible risk of developing the disease.
How often should we do dermatoscopy? More before the summer season or after?
Dermatoscopy is the examination of moles of various origins under magnification, using a special device – a dermatoscope. The dermatoscope examination is painless and takes only a few minutes, and enables the detection of, among others, skin cancer – melanoma at an early stage of its development.
Each of us should undergo a dermatoscopic examination once a year, preferably in the autumn or winter period, and without exception, whenever we notice a disturbing change on the skin.
On the other hand, people at increased risk of developing skin cancer should undergo a specialist examination at least twice a year. These are i.a. persons:
- with light complexion, which, due to their skin phenotype (I or II), have very little or no tan, and are prone to redness and burns when exposed to sunlight,
- having numerous moles, freckles or moles on the skin, especially large, irregularly shaped or unevenly colored,
- who suffered sunburn in childhood or had frequent contact with strong sun in childhood or adolescence,
- whose family members have contracted skin cancers,
- whose skin was exposed to a very large exposure to radiation without protection from high filters; also excessively using the solarium.
When it comes to skin lesions that cause concern, for which it is mandatory to see a doctor as soon as possible, we are talking about, for example, situations when we observe newly formed moles, rapidly enlarging, having irregular edges or uneven color, as well as itchy , scaly, oozing, bleeding, aching, swollen or reddened skin.
How to test skin changes yourself? Stand naked in front of a mirror and look carefully? Which parts of the body should you pay special attention to?
Self-examination of moles by a patient is the basic method of preventing the development of skin diseases, including cancer. Regularity is of key importance here, so everyone should self-check the condition of their skin regularly, preferably once a week, or at least once a month, so that any alarming symptoms and skin changes are noticed in time. The knowledge of one’s own body and the ongoing monitoring of birthmarks is the responsibility of each of us.
Such self-examination cannot be performed in a cursory and quick manner, and requires time and sometimes the help of another person. Birthmarks on the human body can be located in various places, including those difficult to reach on the so-called at first glance, such as the scalp, neck, ears, intimate places. In addition, they can be relatively small or be obscured by folds of the skin. Therefore, it is good to check them with a mirror.
It is recommended to observe each birthmark for at least a few seconds, paying attention to its main characteristics, such as size, color and shape. This allows you to assess its possible changes and progress during the next examination. Remember to carry out the test preferably in daylight or possibly in artificial light, but good, bright.
We usually carry out self-examination as part of the prevention of melanoma, i.e. a malignant skin cancer, which is most often located on its surface (on the legs, back, neck), but also on the mucous membranes (mouth, nose), nails, on the scalp, in the eyeball. Of course, it can also develop in places that are theoretically slightly exposed to UV rays – even on the buttocks, feet or labia.
I emphasize once again that self-examination of moles is recommended to be carried out systematically, without specific medical indications, for prophylactic purposes; in fact, it should become a habit for all of us.
Now the sun is shining harder. We don’t always remember to use filters. When can any changes after summer occur?
Certainly, the beginning of autumn is the right time to pay special attention to the skin. We should then intensify the inspection of the existing and newly formed moles, and the best way to do this is to seek specialist advice and go to a dermatologist for a dermoscopic examination.
Autumn is also an ideal time to regenerate the skin after summer, restore its proper level of hydration and elasticity, especially if it has been exposed to long-term sun radiation and we did not always remember to protect it in the form of high protective filters. Autumn is also the best time to start fighting with sun discoloration, e.g. with the use of cosmetic and aesthetic medicine treatments.
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